Improvement in electro-medical plasters



R. P. HALL.

ELECTED-MEDICAL PLASTER.

No.175,97% Patented April 11, 1876.

Jig/.1.

M M ma MPETERS, PHOTO-LITMOGRAPHER. WASHINGTON. D C

NITED STATES @PATENT OFFICE.

REUBEN P. HALL, OF VINELAND, NEW JERSEY.-

IMPROVEMENT IN ELECTRO-MEDICAL PLASTERS.

Specification forming partof Letters Patent No. 175,974, dated April 11,1876; application filed March 9, 1876.

formerly of Nashua, New Hampshire, but now I of Vineland, in the countyof Cumberland and State of New Jersey, have invented certain new anduseful Improvements in Galvanic Electric Plasiers, of which thefollowing is a specification Electric currents have long been used bythe medical profession in the treatment of many diseases. They have beenapplied in many ways. Currents from batteries, induction apparatus, orfrictional apparatus have been used, by means of wires and electrodesplaced on designated parts of the body. In other cases, they have beenapplied through the medium of baths, and in still other, by voltaicbelts, to be worn upon the body, the current beingthere both generatedand ap' plied. Their use has not been as extensive as it might havebeen, for the reason that while they were used the ordinary exteriorlocal applications of medicine could not be used, as was oftendesirable.

In electric baths, this has been remedied to some extent by inclosingthe bath, and supplying medicated air or vapor to the patient whileunder treatment. This involves a cumbersome and expensive apparatus, andcan be used only for limited periods, and at intervals.

Now, the object of my invention is to supply an article which shallfurnish electrical or galvanic and medical efl'ects simultaneously, andwhich may be applied and worn continuously, or so long as needed.

To this end, my invention consists of a plaster, composed for localapplication, and a I galvanic or voltaic pile for generating currents ofelectricity, the whole being prepared and put upon the market as anarticle of sale, ready for use, as more fully described in thefollowing.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a face view, and Fig. 2 a sectional view,of a plaster embodying my invention; and Figs. 3, 4t, and 5 aremodifications.

The same letters of reference refer to the same parts in all thedrawings.

E is any suitable base or fabric, upon which is spread any suitablemedical compound, A. To the com position ot'this compound I make noclaim, as it may be varied to suit various conditions or diagnoses. Uponthis is also placed the two clectrically-dissimilar galvanic elements PN. These are of such nature that they are readily acted on by humanmoisture to produce a current, as in ordinary voltaic armor. A wire, D,passes from one to the other at the back of the plaster, as shown.Hence, when applied, a current would be generated, circulating in acircuit, P D N, the body of the patient to P again. They may be made ofany size, and the elements arranged so that the current shall flow onlyover a small portion of the body, or so that P and N shall be uponopposite sides of the body, or of a limb, causing the current to passthrough the body or limb. As shown in Fig. l, the .pile is a simple one.

It is evident that this may be varied.

A compound pile, as in Fig. 3, may be used, giving a greater intensityof current, the cur rent over or through the body being from the final Nto the first P, or, for the same purpose, there may be two pilesprovided, as in Fig. 4, the two being connected by a wire, D, as inFigs. 1 and 2; or two plasters may. be arranged, each having one elementor set of elements, to form one compound plaster, as in Fig. 5. i

Such a form may be useful when it is desired to pass the current over orthrough a large portion of the body, and yet not apply the plaster toall the intermediate surface. In this latter case, also, if it isdesired to apply the local medical remedies to one spot only, one of theplasters A may be dispensed with, the element P or N thereof only beingused.

It is evident that these and many other modifications may be madewithout departing from the spirit of my invention.

The operation of my invention is evident, and its efficiency depends, inpart, upon a fact long known, but not hitherto availed of, viz: thatelectric currents hasten and help the introduction of remedial agentsinto the system. This fact gives electric vapor-baths their usefulness;but theirapplication is limited to .a. In testimony that I claim theforegoing I few diseases, while this invention admits of have hereuntoset my hand in the presence of universal application. the subscribingwitnesses-v What I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-REUBEN P. HALL.

As a new article of manufacture, a combined Witnesses galvanic, voltaie,.or electric and therapeutic FRANKLIN ROWELL,

plaster, substantially as set forth. W. T, VIRGIL.

